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Lymm High School graded as good by Ofsted

LYMM High School is celebrating after being awarded the second highest rating following an Ofsted inspection in December, despite the challenges it faced last year.

The academy on Oughtrington Lane was handed a rating of good across the board with inspectors praising the teaching, identifying much of it as outstanding.

Pupils were commended for their attendance records, which is above the national average, and the ‘diverse curriculum and high-quality enrichment experiences’ at the sixth form.

Executive principal Tarun Kapur, who moved to the school last summer following the suspension of then head teacher Angela Walsh, was not worried about the results of the inspection.

Mr Kapur, who is the chief executive and academy principal of the Dean Trust, comprising Ashton on Mersey and Broadoak Secondary Schools, added: “When Ofsted visited the school it was exciting as we wanted to show them what we can do.

“The key thing for me is that all the staff have made a collective decision to work together and we never think about anything that has happened in the past.”

The school, which became an academy in 2012, was shrouded in speculation towards the end of the academic term over the alleged behaviour and conduct of Ms Walsh.

Mr Kapur, who expects pupils to achieve higher exam results this year, said: “The school already had the right systems in place and many of the systems are not any different than they were before.

“What we have changed is the sharp focus on standards and making sure we stretch children and we are there to support each other.”

The school missed out on the highest rating as a ‘significant minority’ of teaching requires improvement.

The marking of books was also flagged up as inconsistent.

The chairman of governors, Kieran Walshe, said: "This report is a tribute to the hard work and professionalism of the school staff, the whole leadership team, and, of course, the students.

“The school has made great progress under Mr Kapur’s leadership over recent months, as Ofsted observed, though we all recognise there is still more to do."